Green Beans with Ginger and Soy {and a giveaway!}

I love the comfort food of winter. But I am so happy that spring is here – and that summer is quickly on it’s way – because that means fresh produce and fruit!! I’m sad that I no longer have a backyard for growing my own garden, but I’m so glad that there are several farmer’s markets where I can get fresh, local produce. And even some of the local grocery stores carry local produce now, which is a huge plus!!

I usually strugle with side dishes, which means we don’t often have them, but whenever I come across a good one, I can’t help but wonder why I don’t make more of them!

These green beans were so packed with flavor – they would not only make a great side dish, but a great snack as well (which is how I ended up eating them, even though that wasn’t the original plan!) And they are mighty simple as well – with very few ingredients. This is the kind of snack I would be happy eating all summer long!

Combine the soy sauce, water, ginger and garlic. Heat the pan until hot, and add the soy sauce mixture. Cook until the garlic and ginger are softened, about 3 minutes. Add in the green beans and stir to combine.

Cover the pan and cook until steam starts to escape from under the lid, about 5 minutes.

Spin the lid to engage the vapor seal, immediately reduce the heat to low, and cook for 5 minutes, until the green beans are tender. Remove from heat and stir in the sesame oil. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds, if desired.

*This recipe was developed for use with the 360 Cookware 3.5 qt. Saute Pan. It can probably be made using another brand of cookware, but water will probably need to be adjusted, and fat may need to be added.*

One thing I have learned over the years is that quality really counts when it comes to the kitchen. When I first moved away from home, I had some pretty cheap kitchen ware. A set of $20 knives (for like 15 of them!), random pots and pans, mostly from garage sales, and don’t even get me started on how many blenders I’ve been through the last 15 years. (But now I have an amazing blender!) Little by little, I’ve been able to upgrade things in my kitchen, and really, it does make a huge difference. I still have a pot that I use occasionally from many years ago, and I curse it every time I use it because food sticks to the bottom and burns so easily. It is so much easier – and more efficient – to cook in a quality pot or pan.

In comes the amazing cookware from 360 Cookware. Made in the USA, this cookware is not only amazing quality, but because of the Vapor® cooking, you can cook your food with little to no water or fat. Which means healthier!

I was seriously surprised at how delicious these green beans were – with so very little liquid. It’s easier to eat more veggies – without feeling the least bit guilty about it because they are good for you. No butter, no oil. One amazing pan!!

And today I’m giving away a 1 quart saucepan from 360 Cookware (value $89.95)! This pot would be perfect for cooking up healthy vegetables, and supposedly you can even bake a cake in it – right on your stove top!

I want to win a 1 qt. saucepan from @tasteandtell and @360Cookware! http://su.pr/4qu18M

Giveaway will run through Saturday, June 9th at 11:59 MT. Giveaway is open to US residents, 18 years old or older. Winner will be notified by email, so make sure you leave a valid email address. Saucepan will be shipped by 360 Cookware. 360 Cookware provided me with product for review and is providing the product for the giveaway, but all opinions are mine.

My crockpot is hands down my favorite! But, even though it’s awesome, I feel that will change once I get some other things… my kitchen is lacking a bit at the moment as I’ve only REALLY started cooking in the last year or so!

I just wanted to let you know how happy and appreciative I am that you named your recipe Green Beans with Ginger and Soy instead of branding them “Asian”. You have no idea how many recipes I’ve run into that automatically brand a dish Asian just because they used soy sauce or ginger or sesame items and etc. I wouldn’t mind if they called it Asian fusion or Asian inspired, but they just assume it’s Asian when it really is not.

I love my brand new kitchenaide, I used to think “yeah right” when someone said that, but OMG! so true,,,, but I need some knives…good knives- desperately!!! (how manuy exclaimation points can I use here?)

The favorite thing in my kitchen is Jeff, my fiance’. I love the time we spend together cooking a meal!! As far as my favorite kitchen gadget, I’d have to say measuring cups & spoons! I just love them!!

Love my baby bundt pans! I make baby rum cakes in them and wrap them as gifts around the holidays especially (the hardest part? not eating them before they are wrapped!) not dietetic (well not for the reciever, but I’m good as long as I don’t steal one to snack on!)

I love my Thermapen. I had no idea how much I would use it until I broke down and got one. Now I would hate to be without it. Great cookware is also high on my list, and this saucepan would be wonderful. Thank you for the chance!

Ooh, I have been wanting to try these pans! My favorite kitchen tool is my melon baller. I never make melon balls, but I use it to scrape the ribs and seeds out of peppers, clean the pulp out of squash, de-seed my tomatoes and cucumbers and lots more!

My favorite item in my kitchen is my food processor, because it’s very time-consuming to chop a lot of vegetables. With my food processor, I can just toss them inside, and they’re done in seconds. It saves a whole lot of time while cooking.

I love fresh green beans! I served them as a side at Christmas and got rave reviews. I loving it with ginger though. YUM!

And because I can never have enough sauce pans…actually I only have like 3, I would say my fave item is my kitchen aid mixer. I pined for one ever since my mom got one when I was little and I finally got one last march! It’s my fave.

My favorite item in my kitchen is my kitchen table!! Is that too cheesy of an answer? When I think of my kitchen, I think of family, and I just love when we’re all and able to enjoy a homecooked meal together!